FAMILIES on an Oxford estate breathed a sigh of relief after work began on a project to improve their local leisure facilities.

The people of Barton were left disappointed earlier this week when it emerged two major schemes for the estate had fallen foul of Government cuts.

On Wednesday, the Oxford Mail revealed plans to spend £800,000 on indoor and outdoor play facilities on the estate had been halted, less than a month after an £8m revamp of Bayards Hill Primary School was also shelved.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom because building work has finally begun on a new gym, changing facilities and reception at Barton Pool in Waynflete Road.

The project is costing £630,000.

Bayards Hill Primary School headteacher Keith Ponsford said the improvement of places like Barton Pool were a “very big deal” for local families, especially in the light of recent cuts.

He said: “From the children’s point of view, we are absolutely delighted the facilities are being improved again.

“Our children use the pool once a week and we have a great relationship with the centre, so it’s a relief work has started.”

Pool manager David Hunt added: “This will without a doubt benefit the local community.

“Ever since the pool was built four years ago, people have asked where is the gym.”

Now a new gym with 45 pieces of equipment is being built, along with separate dry and wet changing rooms.

Mr Hunt said this would benefit not only gym-users, but also local schools like Bayards and people who wanted access to affordable fitness.

He said: “The whole community will soon have access to affordable facilities you would normally only expect to find in expensive private clubs.

“Everyone just can’t wait until October when the new gym will be unveiled.

“I’ve worked on these kinds of project before and you usually get lots of complaints, but with this, we have received only one from someone asking us to paint the lockers white.

“It is very rare to get no complaints, which shows how much people want it.”

He added: “This is something for people in the local area to enjoy.

“The bottom line is that it’s a community building and we’ll be looking at how local schools will be able to benefit from the equipment.”

Barton county councillor Liz Brighouse said the build was a very positive thing for residents.

She said: “It’s a major thing for the whole community.

“Lots of groups use the site, not just the children. It is a good thing – it should have been one of several good things happening in Barton, but that’s another story.”